Offsides Blog: WDSU Saints/NFL Mock Draft (version 2.0)

The Saints have the 15th selection in the 1st round of the NFL Draft this April. Because the Saints defense allowed a record-setting 7,042 yards in 2012, it's expected the franchise will use its first pick to find a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.

Both could end up being selected with one of the top 10 selections or they could both fall out of the first round completely. Because of the uncertainty surrounding those two guys most mock drafts are all over the place right now.

Below is our WDSU NFL mock draft through the Saints pick at No. 15.

No. 1 - Kansas City

Luke Joeckel/OT/Texas A&M

The Chiefs traded for quarterback Alex Smith so drafting a franchise tackle to protect his blind side makes sense.

No. 2 - Jacksonville

Bjoern Werner/DE/Florida State

I'd love to send Dion Jordan or Kiki Mingo to the Jags, but because the team runs a 4-3 front those guys really don't fit. Werner is the best 4-3 defender on the board and a safe pick. I still think Jacksonville could reach for Jordan or Mingo and use him the way Seattle uses Bruce Irvin.

No. 3 - Oakland

Geno Smith/QB/West Virginia

This is one of the hardest picks in the draft. I think the Raiders land on Smith because he's too good to pass up. The comparisons to RGIII will prompt Oakland to draft Smith and hope he can turn the franchise around. The Raiders have other needs and University of Florida DT Sharrif Floyd makes better sense for Oakland, but Smith is the sexier pick.

No. 4 - Philadelphia

Eric Fisher/OT/Central Michigan

Saints fans remember how bad the Eagles offensive line was last season. The Philly game may be the only time the Saints defense dominated a team.

No. 5 - Detroit

Ziggy Ansah/DE-OLB/BYU

A native of Ghana who's made a meteoric rise up draft boards after strong workouts at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. I had Ansah going to the Saints at No. 15 in my first mock draft back in December, no way he falls to No. 15 now. The Lions staff coached Ansah at the Senior Bowl and reportedly love him.

No. 6 - Cleveland

Dee Milliner/CB/Aabama

Milliner ran a scorching time at the combine and is the best player on the board for the Browns.

No. 7 - Arizona

Matt Barkley/QB/USC

New head coach Bruce Arians gets his franchise quarterback.

No. 8 - Buffalo

Dion Jordan/OLB-DE/Oregon

With Geno Smith and Matt Barkley off the board look for the Bills to go with one of the best pass rushers available and maybe pickup QB Ryan Nessib in the 2nd round.

No. 9 - New York Jets

Jarvis Jones/OLB/Georgia

Jets get the best pass rusher in the draft (if he lasts this long).

No. 10 - Tennessee

Chance Warmack/OG/Alabama

Titans need help on the interior of the offensive line.

No. 11 - San Diego

Star Lotulelei/NT/Utah

Can't see the Chargers passing on Lotulelei if he's still available at No. 11.

No. 12 - Miami

Cordarrelle Patterson/WR/ Tennessee

Dolphins get the WR they need.

No. 13 - Tampa Bay

Xavier Rhodes/CB/Florida State

Bucs take a player who can help their woeful pass defense.

No. 14 - Carolina

Sheldon Richardson/DT/Missouri

Panthers get a player who seems like a perfect 4-3 DT.

No. 15 - New Orleans

Barkevious Mingo/OLB-DE/LSU

This is an extremely hard pick to make. I'd love for Jarvis Jones to fall to the Saints because I think he's the best pass rusher in the draft. But, even with his spine condition I don't think 14 teams would be foolish enough to pass on Jones. I'm not sure Mingo gets to #15 but he seems like the obvious choice if he gets this far. The LSU OLB/DE is destined for a 3-4 defense, which the Saints are implementing, had amazing workouts at the NFL combine and is a good kid and a smart player who'd be a fan favorite from day one.

Mingo draws comparisons to 49ers OLB Aldon Smith.

Mingo's stats at LSU last season and his lack of production against the best offensive lineman in the SEC worry me, but I feel like playing a different role that better utilizes his skill set will help him.

All that said, I don't think Mingo is a "slam dunk" pick for New Orleans.

I think the Saints will give strong consideration to the following players at #15:

Alex Okafor/OLB-DE/Texas

I think Okafor would be a tremendous sleeper for the Saints at #15.

Jesse Williams/NT/Alabama

Williams could compete immediately with Broderick Bunkley to be the Saints starting Nose tackle.

Margus Hunt/DE/SMU

Flying up draft boards, so much size, speed and upside as a 3-4 DE.

Chase Thomas/OLB/Stanford

Forget his bad 40-yard dash time at the combine, Thomas was the leader of a very good Stanford defense. He can blitz and drop into coverage. I think Thomas will be a very good player and would assume former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh is ready to take him in the late first or early second round.

Manti Te'o/ILB/Notre Dame

The Saints are set at one of the two middle linebacker positions with Curtis Lofton. I liked Te'o in college and still like him now.

Saints Second Round:

Saints have no second round draft pick. The franchise lost this selection as part of the bounty punishment.

Saints Third Round:

Jordan Mills/OT/Louisiana Tech

I expect Jermon Bushrod will be back with the Saints but the team still lacks depth at the position. Mills should be available in the third round.

Saints Fourth Round:

B.W. Webb/CB/The College of William & Mary

I had Southeastern Louisiana CB Robert Alford slated for this pick but I think he'll be gone. Webb has also moved up draft boards after strong weeks at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, but I think he'll get to the Saints with this pick.

Saints Fifth Round:

Travis Klece/TE/Cincinnati

Saints released Dave Thomas so finding a guy who can compete with Michael Higgins for the second tight end spot (behind Jimmy Graham) makes sense.

Saints Sixth Round

Cooper Taylor/S/Richmond

A small school star with great size and speed. Taylor could seemingly push Rafael Bush and Isa Abdul Quaddus for a job.

Saints Seventh Round

Michael Mauti/ILB/Penn State

Son of former Saints great Rich Mauti, Michael is a tremendous leader who's rehabbing a second serious knee injury (torn ACL). When Mauti recovers he could be a nice addition for the Saints.

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